ADVANCE PRAISE & REVIEWS
"Set on the gritty streets of Quincy, Mass., SWALLOWTAIL introduces tough, seasoned detective Samantha Star, who must stare down her past when a serial killer who haunted her teenage years returns to kill again. Ross’s adult debut delivers the goods, bringing rich atmosphere, deep characterization, plenty of '90s nostalgia, and a taut storyline that will keep you turning pages well into the night. Fans of Mare of Easttown will love this one!"— Edwin Hill, author of Who to Believe.
“Emily Ross powerfully and authentically reveals the gritty reality, disturbing history, and the fierce loyalties of small-town life. SWALLOWTAIL is gorgeously written, and is clearly born from a deep knowledge of those whose lives Ross so genuinely portrays—people whose hopes won’t quit, whose friendships endure, and whose dreams propel them into dangers they could never have predicted. Evocative, compelling, and utterly heartbreaking, this is an unforgettable story.” — Hank Phillippi Ryan, award winning author of Her Perfect Life
"Emily Ross elevates the small-town murder mystery with complex female dynamics, a series of increasingly twisted crimes rooted in Greek mythology, and a New England community that bears scars. An artful exploration of trauma and obsession that delivers reveal after stunning reveal with narrative muscle and heart, SWALLOWTAIL is top-notch crime fiction.” — Tessa Wegert, author of In the Bones
“In Ross's striking novel, Greek mythology and small town New England go head-to-head in a page-turning thriller about the truths we work to keep buried, or can't bear to reveal. Ross blends gritty realism with heartbreak and loss in a story that will linger in your memory, led by a protagonist you'll want to revisit again and again.”—Christine Murphy, author of Notes on Surviving the Fire
“Swallowtail is a haunting, dual-timeline mystery about how our pasts are never really forgotten and how we must wrestle with them in order to live fully in the present. Full of art and mythology, this eerie crime novel unfolds with grace and a big helping of suspense. A terrific read!” — Sarah Stewart Taylor, author of the Maggie D'arcy and Bethany, Vermont mystery series
"A taut, twisty thriller that winds through the gritty and gentrified streets of Quincy, in search of a myth-obsessed serial killer who sees his victims as models for his art, Swallowtail keeps you guessing until its explosive end."—Stephanie Gayle, author of Idyll Threats.
"Blending the disparate worlds of teen dancers and townie detectives, Ross has choreographed a mesmerizing pas de deux of past trauma and present-day terror in this chilling mystery, where everyone and everything is suspect–even memory." –Kelly J. Ford, Anthony-nominated author of Real Bad Things.
“A twisty, nail-biter of a mystery that raises the stakes on cat-and-mouse. Will keep readers guessing.” — Kimberly G. Giarratano, author of the Billie Levine mystery series.
“I’m a huge fan of Emily Ross’ writing and Swallowtail is her best book yet. Ross expertly mixes mythological tales, teenage longing, and thrilling murders for a result unlike anything you’ll ever read. Much like the art in her story, Swallowtail is a masterpiece that dives into what it means to find where you truly belong. You won’t be able to put this down!” —Amina Akhtar, Bestselling Author of Almost Surely Dead and Kismet
